Eurasia To Swing East And Bistro 110 To Lighten Fare With New

Chefs

December 22, 1989|By Patricia Tennison.

Like a major football franchise aiming for an even bigger season, the dynastic Levy Organization has signed the owner-chef of Arun`s restaurant to quarterback Eurasia, a move that also sets Bistro 110 in action.

According to Arun Sampanthavivat, who was in Los Angeles scouting out Wolfgang Puck`s French-Chinese-Japanese-California Chinois on Main and the Thai-and-sushi Tommy Tang`s, the Levy Organization contacted him to join as managing partner in Eurasia.

Eurasia blends European and Asian cuisines, and the Thailand-born Sampanthavivat can be expected to swing the mood farther to the East.

``I will look into Chinese cooking-but my interpretation, not Cantonese, a lighter style. And Vietnamese,`` he said.

Highly touted Arun`s, 3434 W. Irving Park Rd., will remain strictly Thai. ``I`m comfortable with the chefs there now,`` said Sampanthavivat, who will still supervise his own restaurant.

As managing partner, Sampanthavivat will work the front of Eurasia, talking to diners, and develop recipes. Look for more pasta and spicy dishes. In a related move, Stewart Parsons, Eurasia`s current chef, moves over to Bistro 110. The half-French Parsons and Bistro 110 partner Doug Roth are off soon on a fact-finding mission to sample the American-French bistro fare at San Francisco`s new Roti, plus Provence, Park Bistro, Ferrier and Union Square Cafe in New York. Look for more health-conscious menu choices coming to Bistro 110.

The final link, Rene Bajeux, Bistro 110`s current chef, swings to Europe to research a ``new concept`` that debuts with the other Levy changes in March.

- Cocorico, 1960 N. Clybourn Av., opens now for lunch.

- Friday is the last day to bring a like-new toy into a Chicago area Sizzler restaurant and get 10 percent off selected entrees. The toys support the U.S. Marines` ``Toys for Tots`` drive.